Easter 2025 Airport Risk Index: Best & Worst Canadian Airports for Holiday Travel Delays
Easter is one of Canada’s biggest family travel weekends — and one of the busiest for airports. In March 2024 alone, more than 150 million passengers passed through Canada’s eight busiest airports. But only 71.5% of flights left on time during the Easter travel window, with 2.7% cancelled across the board*. Moreover, no Canadian airports ranked in the top 20 worldwide for on-time performance in 2024.
- Airports with the Highest Odds of Delays
- Best Bets for On-Time Travel
- Best Delay Experience Index
- Notable Mentions
How our index works
Each airport was scored from 1–10 in three categories:
- Passenger Volume (based on March 2024 traffic)
- OTP History (based on 2023–24 delay data)
- Weather Risk (based on actual conditions from April 17–24, 2024)
Where no current OTP data was available, we used a composite estimate based on historical reputation from past years (e.g. publicly available airport rankings, news coverage, 2022/2023 stats where available) and airport size and complexity (larger hubs tend to have more logistical delays). These airports were given a moderate default score of 6/10 or 7/10, reflecting average reliability in the absence of strong evidence to suggest otherwise.
The scores were then used to estimate the odds of being stuck — whether due to weather, crowds, or operational delays.
Airports with the Highest Odds of Delays
Check out our interactive map to compare your chances of facing a delay at each of the country’s top eight airports.
According to our index, the worst odds of smooth travel this Easter are at:
- Toronto Pearson (YYZ) – Canada’s busiest airport combines huge crowds, unpredictable spring weather, and historically poor punctuality.
- Montréal-Trudeau (YUL) – Over 760,000 March travelers in 2024 along with spring rain, cloudy skies, and 1 in 3 flights delayed in 2023 give that airport moderate-high odds of delays (1 in 4).
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- At the other end of the spectrum, Vancouver International Airport (YVR) earned the lowest risk score, thanks to mild spring weather and relatively strong operational performance.
- Halifax Stanfield International Airport (YHZ) gets low odds of being stuck (1 in 7) thanks to light passenger volume, milder East Coast spring weather with limited disruption risk, and less congestion.
“We created this index to help Canadians make smarter travel choices — and actually enjoy their Easter plans,” said Alan Penny, Editor-in-Chief at CasinoBonusCA. “A little insight into airport risks can go a long way toward less stress and more fun when it comes to travelling this Easter.”
| Airport | Description | Score | Estimated Odds of Being Stuck |
|---|---|---|---|
Halifax (YHZ) | Despite being breezy and damp, Halifax offered stable conditions and lighter traffic. With under 140,000 March travelers, it’s one of the least stressful hubs this Easter. | 21 | 1 in 7 |
Vancouver (YVR) | Mild, dry, and calm: Vancouver’s April weather was near perfect for flying, helping offset heavy volume. It remains one of the most reliable airports in Canada. | 20 | 1 in 7 |
Edmonton (YEG) | Lows near -7°C in April 2024 mean frost was still possible, but overall conditions were drier. Moderate OTP + lighter traffic = a safer bet. | 20 | 1 in 6 |
Calgary (YYC) | Calgary’s late-April weather was chilly but clear, with less de-icing and stronger OTP compared to peak winter. With 544,000 March passengers, it holds steady in the middle tier. | 20 | 1 in 6 |
Winnipeg (YWG) | Cold and snowy in March, Winnipeg warmed up significantly by April, with highs around 17°C. Still, unpredictable lows around freezing mean frost risk remains. | 19 | 1 in 5 |
Ottawa (YOW) | Ottawa’s Easter 2024 brought mixed rain and cool nights. With 185,000 March travelers and average OTP, it stays in the middle of the pack. | 19 | 1 in 5 |
Montréal-Trudeau (YUL) | Montreal welcomed 762,000 passengers in March 2024 and had 33.5% of flights delayed in 2023. Early spring storms gave way to cloudy, rainy but milder weather in late April. | 15 | 1 in 4 |
Toronto Pearson (YYZ) | Canada’s busiest airport screened 1.6M passengers in March 2024 and had the second-worst OTP in North America in 2023 (over 35% delayed). Milder weather in April 2024 raised its weather score, but crowds and a poor delay record keep it high-risk. | 13 | 1 in 3 |
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Best Delay Experience Index
Getting delayed at the airport is a situation nobody wants to be in. However some airports are better than the rest, in terms of amenities and services as well as entertainment and relaxation options.
Best Airport to Be Stuck In: Vancouver International Airport (YVR) – 82.95
- Highest overall rating (88%)
- Clean and easy to navigate
- Well-managed passenger volume
- Downsides: Expensive food, limited seating in domestic gates
Worst Airport to Be Stuck In: Edmonton International Airport (YEG) – 76.65
- Easy to navigate, not too busy
- Few food and beverage options
- Lower-rated lounges
Notable Mentions
- Winnipeg (YWG) – 81.35 The Quiet & Clean Option – Well-rated WiFi and lounges, but not much open for dining.
- Toronto Pearson (YYZ) – 77.50 The Crowded Chaos – One of the busiest, but suffers from lack of seating, poor lounge options, and dirty restrooms.
- Montréal-Trudeau (YUL) – 77.10 The Expensive Stop – Long security lines and overpriced food options, but decent food variety.
Methodology
To determine the best Canadian airports to be stuck in during a delay, we considered five key factors:
- Overall Flight Radar Rating: The general traveler satisfaction score from FlightRadar users.
- Food & Retail: Availability and quality of food and shopping options, crucial during long waits.
- WiFi: Speed and reliability of internet access, important for entertainment and work.
- Lounge: Comfort and availability of lounges, adding to the experience for those willing to pay for extra comfort
- Users’ reviews: about each of the Top-8 Canadian airports
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* data source – transport Canada